After undergoing rigorous training at a month-long preparatory camp, the Suiting Lekini-led India TFA Blue is raring to go against an inexperienced Bangladesh team in the inaugural match of the under-19 JRD Tata Cup International Invitational football tournament in Jamshedpur on Thursday.
Comprising clutch of budding footballers, the India TFA Blue players looked absoloutely fit, their body language indicating a resolve to take the opponents by the horns at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on the morrow.
Three members of the home squad -- goalkeeper Subhashish Roy Choudhury, defender Subhash Mondal and mid-fielder Bhola Prasad -- were part of the Indian colts' side that lifted the Ian Rush Trophy in Wales. They will surely like to utilise the opportunity to impress the selectors for berths in the national team for the AFC qualifiers in Malaysia next month.
While expressing happiness over his team's preparations in the lead-up to the tourney, India TFA Blue coach Satheevan Balan said that he has cautioned his boys not to take the opponents lightly.
Balan said he has no idea about the strengths and weaknesses of the Bangladesh side. "It will be difficult to judge the foreign team before the tournament opener as I have no idea about their game."
The coach said his team would size up the opponents for the first few minutes before going for the kill. "We will tailor our strategy to suit our on-field needs. Our main objective will be to win the match," he said.
Balan said his charges will not stick to any particular formation but keep on improvising as per rquirements.
On the prospects of the three foreign teams, he said: "Though I do not have much idea about them, I consider Iran as a tough side followed by Uzbekistan."
On the other hand, Bangladesh coach Mohammad Abu Yousuf said, "Our main purpose of taking part in this tourney is to learn good football."
Yousuf conceded that the Indians are favourites against his team. "Every team plays to win. But our focus will be to put out best foot forward irrespective of the outcome."
He said the Bangladesh team comprises up-and-coming players lacking international exposure, but who could be drafted into the national team in the long run.
However, striker Mohd. Syed Hussain, left back Mohammad Tareq and midfielder Masud Alam were members of the Bangladesh team that won the Asian Youth Cup held in Jamshedpur a couple of years ago, he said.
"But our preparations for this tournament were not very good and for the last one month we have been concentrating on physical fitness," the Bangla coach said.
© 2024 Rediff.com -